Ready to run

As the Indians prepared for their regional run this week, they had a question for their coach. Could they beat Minster, they wondered.
The Wildcats are ranked No. 1 in the state, and finished 60 points ahead of Fort Recovery in the district meet, winning by 34 over Spencerville. They have won 16 consecutive Midwest Athletic Conference championships. They have brought home five state titles in the last 10 years, and are the two-time defending state champions.
So while the Indians are not yet in a position to seriously challenge the premier Division III girls cross country program in the state, just asking the question shows the go-for-it attitude they are carrying into their biggest meet of the year.
The Tribe will compete in the Division III regional meet hosted by Troy on Saturday at 1:20 p.m.
“They definitely think that they can do well … and perform well,” said FRHS coach Michelle Stammen before practice Thursday. “Every year I tell them, ‘Attitude is everything,’ and this year is proof in the pudding. They definitely are having a positive attitude. It’s making a difference in every race that they run.
“Their work ethic, their attitude, the way they approach the sport is unbelievable. And it’s what’s contributing to all their success this year.”
The Indians head to the regional after closing the season with a couple of strong efforts. They finished fourth in the Midwest Athletic Conference behind Minster, Division II No. 7 Coldwater and Division III No. 3 Versailles, and went on to a third-place district finish.
Their conference and district runs stand in stark contrast to last season, when the Indians were decimated by injuries. They were fifth in the MAC and gutted out the district race, but then were without three of their top runners for the regional.
As a result, they finished last in the 16-team field.
“Everybody is actually here this year,” said senior Alexis Sutter, who was the No. 2 runner for FRHS at the regional meet last season. “We’re more confident going in this year because we’re not missing people. …
“It’s really exciting. It’s a good way to end the career.”
“Last year we just struggled with injuries, and those things happen,” added Stammen. “This year, thank goodness, we’ve been injury free, and much more successful. … So we’re very excited going in. A couple of my top runners have a chance of getting into that top 16, so we’re hoping for the best.”
Freshman Elle Sutter enters the race as the No. 16 seed — all projections are based on district results — and the four teams and 16 individuals from the regional meet will earn state berths. The last FRHS runner to make the state finals was Mindy Vogel in 2006.
Sutter’s time of 20 minutes, 6 seconds was fourth at the district meet behind Spencerville’s Kelli Ley and Maria Dahlinghaus and Olivia Enneking, both of Minster. The regional favorite is Versailles junior Tammy Berger, who is the No. 1 seed by 20 seconds after winning the Miami Valley district title in 18:38.
“I think she can be in that top 16, I really, really do,” said Stammen. “She has run well all season. She always has risen to the occasion.”
Sutter and sophomore Abby May, who is seeded 38th in the regional, have shown impressive improvement throughout the year. May ran a 22:13 in the season-opening Mercer County Meet, and Sutter turned in a 23:01.
Sutter did not break into the 20s until the Oct. 2 Jay County invitational, and both were on the outside looking in as they attempted to earn All-MAC honors. But that conference race was the best of their lives, with Sutter finishing in 19:46 and May following at 19:57.
“I think our team has gotten stronger as a group,” said May, adding that she is just excited to be running in the regional after missing it because of injury last season. “We push each other. Me and Elle are competing against each other, but it’s friendly competition. Me trying to catch Elle really helps me.
“Before every meet I know for sure sge could easily beat me,” added Sutter. “So I just try to push it so that she doesn’t.”
Fort Recovery enters as the No. 8 seed — all seeds are based on district times — with a projected total of 206 points, 37 behind seventh-seeded Covington and 53 ahead of No. 9 seed Marion Local.
Top-ranked Minster (66) is the favorite for the meet, which includes five of the top 10 teams in the state. No. 2 West Liberty-Salem (76) is the second seed followed by No. 4 Versailles (89), No. 3 Russia (103), No. 10 Spencerville (140) and Summit (165).
Junior Nicole Heitkamp, who was the top runner for the Tribe at the regional last season, follows Sutter and May after finishing 23rd in the district in 21:49. Behind her are freshman Jessica Vogel (21:57), Alexis Sutter (22:18), sophomore Samantha Tobe (38th – 22:50) and senior Abby Huelskamp (45th – 23:11).
As a team the Indians are hoping to fulfill their top-half seeding and have a chance to match their best finish from their recent run of regional appearances, a sixth-place effort in 2006. Stammen also said she’d like to see her team make a run at Spencerville after finishing 26 points behind the Bearcats at the district meet.
“I am very proud of them (already),” said Stammen. “I told them, ‘On Saturday, no matter what happens, it’s been a great season, be proud of your accomplishments. I don’t want anyone to be disappointed.’ I am thrilled with the team this year … and we have a very bright future.”[[In-content Ad]]